Certificate in End-of-Life Care

People are living longer, healthier lives – but our ageing society poses particular challenges for everyone involved in giving and receiving care. This certificate explores the issues around death, dying, bereavement and dementia. Designed for anyone working in health and social care, especially the care of people with life-limiting conditions, it emphasises the reality of end-of-life care and changes that can improve it.

Key features of the course

Case studies enable you to see and hear from people living with dementia and from dying people and their carers

Considers the social and ethical contexts of death and dying, end-of-life care and bereavement

Explores the incidence and pathology of dementia, ethical dilemmas, and how we care for people with dementia

Study as a standalone course, or count credits towards a qualification such as an honours degree.

Certificate

Course code

S30

Credits

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

Thinking of studying this course?

For academic year 2015/2016, registration opens in March 2015. If you would like to be kept updated, register your interest now.

Registration on this course is now closed. For academic year 2015/2016, registration opens in March 2015. You have already registered your interest in this qualification. Click on My Account to view your shortlisted qualifications

Request your prospectus

Course details

This certificate comprises 60 credits.

Stage 1
(60 credits)

You’ll consider how we approach death and dying at an individual level, and how we understand it within a wider social context – investigating the ethical dilemmas faced by carers and dying people at the end of life. You’ll explore a diversity of responses to death and dying and how people manage grief in different contexts.

Explore how society handles death, how care for dying people has changed, the impact of palliative care, and the complex ethical dilemmas involved in decision-making.

The modules quoted in this description are currently available for study. However, as we review the curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

Knowledge and understanding

Cognitive skills

Practical and professional skills

Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Entry requirements

However, this is an OU level 2 certificate. You should ensure that you have adequate study skills, such as gained from OU level 1 study or its equivalent, before you begin.

General study skills

Anyone can study with The Open University, but if it's a while since you did any academic work it's worth checking that your time management, computing and English skills are up to speed. Visit Can I do it? to find out more.

Your next step

Call us on +44 (0)1908 659253 or request a call back. Our friendly team of advisers will discuss your study options with you, and help you decide on the best starting point for you. Or come and meet us at an event near you.

How much will it cost?

We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your potential. That’s why we work hard to keep the cost of study as low as possible and have a wide range of flexible ways to pay to help spread, or even reduce, the cost.

*The fee information provided here is valid for courses starting before 31 July 2015. Fees normally increase annually in line with inflation. Fees information for courses starting between 1 August 2015 – 31 July 2016 will be available in March 2015.

Fees are paid on a module-by-module basis – you won't have to pay for the whole of your qualification upfront.

If like most OU students studying part time, you study an average of 60 credits a year – you’ll study for six years to complete a degree. Our typical fee for 60 credits is £2,632*.

Our current fee is £5,264* – based on 120 credits of study – which is equivalent to a year's full-time study.

The total cost of your chosen qualification starts from £2,632* based on our current fees.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as a laptop, travel to tutorials, set books and internet access.

Ways to pay for your qualification and other support

We know there’s a lot to think about when choosing to study, not least how you can pay. That’s why we offer a wide range of flexible payment and funding options to help make study more affordable than you might think. Options include Tuition Fee Loans (also known as student loans), monthly payment plans and employer sponsorship.

We’re confident we can help you find an option that’s right for you.

Just answer these simple questions to find out more about the options available to you for courses starting before 1 August 2015. Updated information for courses starting after this will be available in March 2015.

How many credits are you planning to study per year?

You will need [xxx] credits to complete this qualification

Part time study

30 credits per year means you will study 8 - 10 hours per week, costing you £1,316* per year

60 credits per year means you will study 16 - 20 hours per week, costing you £2,632* per year

Full time study

120 credits per year means you will study 32 - 36 hours per week, costing you £5,264* per year

Do you already hold a degree?

Yes

No

Are you employed?

Yes

No

Tick box if you are a member of British Forces Posted Overseas

British Forces

Only currently serving members of the British armed forces, who are temporarily and unavoidably working abroad and using BFPO addresses, are eligible to pay UK course fees for the total time spent outside the UK. Other students who are able to use BFPO addresses need to contact us on +44 (0)300 303 5303 for UK fee eligibility to be assessed.

* The fee and funding information provided here is valid for courses starting before 31 July 2015. Fees normally increase annually in line with inflation. Fees for courses starting from 1 August 2015 will be available in March 2015.

An OU qualification will always help you stand out from the crowd, now and in the future – whether you’re just starting out, developing your career, or changing direction entirely.

Skills for career development

This certificate can make a significant contribution to the continuing professional development of health and social care practitioners.

The module Death and dying (K260) has been mapped against the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework. It has also been mapped to the Core Competencies for End-of-Life Care which support the National End-of-Life Care Strategy.

The module Dementia Care (K235) has been mapped against the Dementia Competency Framework developed by the South West Dementia Partnership and the NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Promoting Excellence: framework.

Career relevance

This certificate gives people who have professional contact with people with dementia or those who are dying or have been bereaved with an understanding of the issues and challenges that are inherent in their care. It is designed for anyone working, or with an interest in, health and social care – especially the care of people with life-limiting conditions. It will be particularly relevant to paid or unpaid carers; NHS staff (either in the acute sector or community); care workers in the voluntary sector; and hospice workers.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that most careers will require further study, training and/or work experience):

care assistant

palliative care worker

care home manager

health care assistant

hospice worker

end-of-life care facilitator

specialist practitioner

practice manager

bereavement counsellor.

Want to see more jobs? Use the career explorer for job ideas from the National Careers Service, PlanIT Plus in Scotland and Prospects across all nations. You can also visit GradIreland for the Republic of Ireland.